CMA 's Host with the most

Vince Gill to Host CMA Awards for
Ninth Consecutive Year; Gill Signs Second Multi-Year Contract

The Country Music Association has announced that superstar Vince Gill has agreed to host the annual CMA Awards telecast for a record ninth consecutive year. "The 34th CMA Awards" will be telecast live Wednesday, October 4 (8-11 PM EDT) on the CBS Television Network from the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, TN. Gill has signed his second multi-year contract to host the CMA awards. The contract will have the MCA Nashville artist hosting the top rated awards through 2002. Gill signed a year to year contract from 1992 to 1996. In 1997, he was signed to his first multi-year contract (1997-1999)

"The combination of Vince Gill and the CMA Awards is one of the most popular and

enduring pairings in the history of television," says Ed Benson, CMA Executive Director. "The chemistry works: The fans love him. The music industry respects him. And the charm, humor and passion for music he brings to the Awards just enhance his appeal. He is the consummate host in every sense of the word."

    Vince Gill says of his hosting duties, "I've enjoyed it over the years, and it's a great relationship that I have with not only the Country Music Association, but with CBS and with the music community of Nashville. They know that I'm going to take care of the show. That I'm going to give it the class it deserves. The show's not about me.
The show's about showcasing what's really great about Country Music and trying to up us all in a great light. They know I'm going to make fun of some people, crack some jokes, but they also know I'm going to have a great deal of reverence for what's come before me and will continue."

    "The CMA Awards" is traditionally one of the highest-rated specials in the television season. For the past three years, CBS kicked off the first week of the Fall television season with "The CMA Awards." Despite stiff competition in 1997 and 1998, "The CMA Awards"
dominated the ratings on the Wednesday night of premiere week. Last year was no exception with 37 million viewers tuned in to the gala event, topping the previous year's rating by one million viewers.

Gill, a multi-talented vocalist, songwriter and musician, has garnered 18 CMA Awards, more than any other artist. For five consecutive years (1991-1995), Gill won the CMA Male Vocalist Award, an achievement unequaled in the history of the CMA Awards.
    In 1991, 1992, 1993 and 1996, Vince took home CMA Song of the Year honors for the hits "When I Call Your Name," "Look At Us," "I Still Believe In You" and "Go Rest High On That Mountain" respectively. In 1993 and 1994, Vince took home the Entertainer of the Year award. In 1999 he took home the Vocal Event of the Year award, alongside his
friend and fellow artist Patty Loveless for their collaboration "My Kind of Woman/My Kind of Man."

    Founded in 1958, the Country Music Association was the first trade organization formed to promote a type of music. More than 6,800 music industry professionals and companies from 43 countries around the world are members of CMA. The organization's objectives are to guide and enhance the growth of Country Music and to demonstrate it as a viable medium to advertisers, consumers and media throughout the world. CMA is headquartered in Nashville with offices/representatives in London, Cologne and Sydney.